In recent years, the science of biology has undergone revolutionary changes. Many problems once handled only descriptively are now analyzed molecularly, and biological systems are now being understood as the sum of the interactions between biomolecules. With this trend expected to continue into future advances in biology, Rensselaer is adapting and introducing undergraduate biology programs to meet this challenge.

All areas of biology require knowledge of chemistry and physics as well. The undergraduate biology curriculum thoroughly trains you in the fundamentals of the life sciences, as well as the chemistry and physics of the life processes, providing the background necessary for professional training in research or medicine.

You may also opt for careers in applied biology and in industry. You can combine biology programs with specific options in biochemistry, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology (genetic engineering), chemical engineering, computer science, management, mathematics, microbiology, and technical communications.

Transfer of Biology Credit for Enrolled Students

Students who wish to take courses in biology at other universities and substitute credit for courses at RPI must submit to the Biology office (1W14 J-ROWL) a Transfer of Credit Application Form together with a course description copied from the catalog of the university or college where the course is to be taken.

The forms must be approved before students register or take the course; otherwise there is no certainty that the credit will transfer.

In choosing courses and matching them to courses at RPI, students should look at the course descriptions both at RPI and at the university where the students want to take the course. A significant mismatch could indicate a problem in getting approval. Close correspondence increases confidence that the approval will be granted. Credit generally is not given for online courses unless the examinations are proctored locally through a mechanism approved by the university or college offering the course.